In response to her mother’s readiness to fight, and die, for her country, Hafsat created the

Kudirat Initiative For Democracy, focusing on re-conditioning the placement of women in

Nigerian society, removing them from patriarchal methods which indict their own delegitimacy.

“Customs become legitimate,” she tells a room full of women, but she pushes for them to dream

of progressive change, instilling hope of time that “when we come, men will stand down.” The

exceptionality of her voice, and vision, makes it hard not to believe in the message that she is so

determinedly fighting for.

The consciousness of Kudirat is persistent in the pulse of the film, and that of Hafsat herself.

The only time Hafsat breaks down, on camera, is when she is reminded of her mother’s belief

in her daughter’s possibility to create real, effectual social change. It’s the shattering of barriers,

the steep emotional curve of allowing a terse, but heart-rending realization wash over you.

As Hafsat mourns, the tears, compound her message—and that emotional engagement, and

vulnerability was when this story, and film, got to the heart of the issue.

It started off as all stories do—with reverence to the dead, bloodied in their graves, the heroes,

and the martyrs, those who gave so much. But, for me, the contemplation of what that struggle

means, and it’s imminent and brutally unjustified end, is surfaced in this film with so much

humanity. It is a deeply profound and beautiful experience, and an integral film to watch.

As I

write this, I am consumed by Hafsat’s final message: “any society that silences it’s women, has

no future.” So, with that, may we remind ourselves to never be silenced.

“The Supreme Price” will next screen at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in New York, tomorrow, Thursday, June 19th, at 9:15 PM at Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater. The screening will be followed by a discussion with filmmaker Joanna Lipper, as well as the film’s subject, Hafsat Abiola, moderated by Rona Peligal, Deputy Director, African Division, Human Rights Watch.

Watch a 10-minute preview of the film below:

Fariha Roisin is a freelance film and culture writer. Follow her on Twitter: @fariharoisin